Health and Medicine

What is a cold sore? A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister that appears on the lips and around the mouth. Cold sores are also called fever blisters , oral herpes or herpes labialis. While cold sores are highly contagious , they usually aren't serious. In healthy people , cold sores generally clear up on their own in one to two weeks. How common are cold sores? Cold sores are widespread. More than half of the people in the United States have been infected with the virus that causes cold sores, though many people never develop cold sores or have any symptoms. About 20 to 40 percent of people who have the virus develop cold sores. How often do people get cold sores? A cold sore can develop multiple times a year or only once or twice in your lifetime. The frequency of a cold sore outbreak varies from person to person. Who is affected by cold sores? People of all ages can become infected with the virus that causes cold sores. Many people are exposed to the virus during childhood. It is ...